Movies Of The Week – 27 May 2013

With Tom Hanks in the lead role of Robert Langdon, the character made infamous in Dan Brown’s action-packed bestseller from where the movie got its name (you’ll be better able to recognize this fact when calling the Da Vinci Code to mind) this flick is a superb thriller, filled with ideas, mysteries, historical facts that will make you gawk with shock and a fast-paced directorial touch. Aside from Tom Hank’s weird hairdo, you’ll find all the ‘Dan Browny’ essentials in this one, from Church-related conspiracies to scientific deceptions that have been going on for decades and how a strange twist of good fortune through the Camerlengo Patrick McKenna (played by Ewan McGregor) hides a betrayal you have to see the movie to appreciate. The female lead, Vittoria Vetra (played by Ayelet Zurer) is as sexy and skilled as she is in the book.

I love this movie, seen it umpteen times and read the book too. I chose to add this movie here in honor of Dan Brown’s latest Robert Langdon adventure ‘Inferno’, which I pre-ordered and begun reading. It’s awesome!

[Duration: 2 hrs. 7 mins]

Chick Flick

Then She Found Me [2007]

With noteworthy performances from talented actors like Bette Midler, Colin Firth, Helen Hunt, Matthew Broderick, and a guest appearance by Salman Rushdie, this interesting story takes you through a lot of human emotions, from love and longing, to shock, disappointment, and betrayal as April Epner (Helen Hunt) faces mid life crisis and a divorce when her biological mother, Bernice Graves (Bette Midler) finds her at last, bringing with her doubts and an attitude that simply won’t do in April’s life. Falling in love with Frank (Colin Firth) tags along plenty of questions and responsibilities, seeing as how April can’t have children but always wanted one and Colin has a couple of his own from a marriage that ended too soon for comfort.

The movie has its slow moments but is otherwise pretty amazing. I enjoyed the performances from all actors involved, the music was cool as well as the sense of timing the writers and director employed when making this movie.

[Duration: 1 hr. 36 mins.]

Animation Flick

Spirited Away [2001]

Japanese anime has always been awesome. They bring beautiful storytelling to the table along with classy animation and amazing ideas. This movie is a fine example of such excellence, tracing the experiences of a little girl Chihiro (voice talent by Daveigh Chase) as she enters a parallel world filled with magic and impossibilities. Her parents are moving and they decide to stop, admire the land and find a seemingly innocuous zone, entering it only to end up needing rescuing. There’s simply so much to this flick, you’ll feel you entered the world as well and came out in one piece, having experienced emotions you never thought an animation feature will make you feel.

I absolutely enjoyed this one, despite the fact that I only casually chose to see it. Once I began, I found myself unable to hit pause as I rolled through a tale that flowed like a well-written book and had elements I’ll never forget for as long as I live. Anime rocks!

[Duration: 1 hr. 59 mins.]

Comedy Flick

The Beautician and the Beast [1997]

What happens when a beautician Joy Miller (Fran Drescher), through some misunderstood circumstances and a few white lies later finds herself tutoring the children of Boris Pochenko (Timothy Dalton) who’s an Eastern European dictator running a small country that looks like it never heard of the word modernity? Comic becomes an understatement, that’s what happens. With a little romantic tension thrown in, a corrupt politician out to take more than his fair share of the political pie (we all know those kinds!) and superb acting by all present, what you have is a beautifully directed movie, an exquisitely written script and a memorable heart-warming flick with thrills, adventure, comedy and fun woven with a artful finish.

After seeing the gorgeous and uber-funny Fran Drescher play Joy Miller in this hilarious movie, I can’t imagine how she isn’t called the next Lucille Ball. She is the movie, in my opinion, and I hope to see her play more roles soon.

[Duration: 1 hr. 47 mins.]

Fantasy Flick

Prince of Persia; The Sands of Time [2010]

This immensely entertaining flick is just as good as the game, if not more so. With Jake Gyllenhaal playing the incomparable Prince of Persia and Gemma Arterton playing Princess Tamina (not from the game), this action-packed movie has a world of cool moments in store, especially with a laugh-out-loud performance from Alfred Molina playing Sheik Amar, and not to forget Ben Kingsley in the Middle-Eastern shoes of the ominous Sorcerer/Adviser Nizam. The plot is wonderful, the acting unforgettable and the CG truly spectacular.

I felt like I used the sands of time myself and went back to when I played the game. Personally, I feel there are other actors who could have fit the physical image of the Prince of Persia but Jake Gyllenhaal gave the character heart and soul and for that alone, he became the Prince in this movie which is truly worth watching twice in a row.

[Duration: 1 hr. 51 mins.]

Horror Flick

Altitude [2010]

Five friends, Sara (Jessica Lowndes of ‘90210’ fame),Bruce (Landon Liboiron of ‘Terra Nova’ fame), Mel (Julianna Guill), Cory (Ryan Donowho) and Sal (Jake Weary) rely on Sara’s flight training to take them to a holiday destination during spring break. However, when in the air, things go awfully wrong as something sinister seems to be happening to the plane and the adolescents in it, testing their will, patience, calm and panic levels. Little do they realize that this isn’t some random supernatural attack on the lot of them but that there’s a connection as to why they’re the targets of a very real danger.

I assumed this was yet another b-movie with young people, specially two hot girls, directed with a silly horror-movie-flow that has no real logic. I was wrong, I got a hundred times more than what I’d bargained for. Granted, a few sections of this flick redefined ‘corny’ but a majority of it was awesome. Not only did I enjoy it, including the memorable performances from the kids in the plane, but I came out of it making notes on a supernatural idea or two I had had swimming in my head.

[Duration: 1 hr. 30 mins.]

Drama Flick

Chocolat [2000]

Adapted from the novel after the same name written by Joanne Harris, this movie version has a wonderful literary theme with the characters practically endearing themselves to you, simply because you can relate to them on so many levels. This quaint flick sees outstanding performances by Juliette Binoche, Alfred Molina, Johnny Depp, Judi Dench, Peter Stormare, Carrie-Anne Moss and others who enhanced this star cast, all of them adding a vast depth of charm to this sensational story that makes you want to read the book (and vice versa, if you began the book first).

I adored the acting and the powerful role Chocolate plays in this movie. It felt like an imagination made so real you could feel the texture of it all. This is one movie that will have you so engrossed you’ll be surprised how you can feel so, especially when you watch it at a personally non-preferable time of day. That’s when you know a movie’s real worth.

[ Duration: 2 hrs. 1 min.]

Classic Flick

A Streetcar Named Desire [1951]

Following one of the most beautiful yet simple scripts ever written during the Golden Age of Hollywood, this movie is a joy-ride taking you through a superbly authentic human experience when Blanche (Vivien Leigh) comes to visit her sister Stella (Kim Hunter) in the city, bringing a financial trouble-situation with her which Stanley (Marlon Brando) catches wise of. What happens next is movie magic as scenes you may have thought terribly boring turn out edge-of-your-seat enthralling, curiosity tingling, nail-bitingly suspenseful, awe-inspiring, and marvelous.

This movie was originally a blockbuster stage play (still artfully followed all over the world, especially Broadway in New York). Granted, it didn’t quite live up to performances seen at the time in its theatrical counterpart but this movie has Marlon Brando giving an awesome performance. Though the leading lady of ‘Gone With The Wind’ fame did overplay her role a little, emotion-wise, this flick is enjoyable from start to finish and you’ll never be bored, even if you started the flick assuming you would.

About Bhakti

Freelancer, Editor and Full-time Blogger. Besides my husband, I love food, colors, travelling and socializing. In my spare time, I don’t read books. I cook. Yes it is one of the things I am passionate about after shopping. Read More »

About Joshua

Creativity is my swimming pool, and the fun is endless when I share it with the world. It's one of the things that make me want to write about books, movies, travel, great conversation, fashion and more. I like savoring the world, one bite at a time.